ADA

Ball Passage

Refers to the size of a ball that can pass through the trapway of a toilet. Standards are established based on minimum-sized ball passage. Ball passage also relates to trapway size. Generally speaking, the size of the trap will be 1/8 larger than the maximum-sized ball that can pass through it.

Ballcock

The mechanism that controls the flow of water into a gravity-operated toilet tank. The ballcock is controlled by the float mechanism floating in the water in the tank. When the toilet is flushed, the float drops and opens the ballcock, allowing water to enter the tank and/or bowl. The float rises as the water level in the tank is restored, and shuts off the ballcock when the tank is completely filled. Also referred to as a float valve.

Close-Coupled

Closet Bolt

Two main anchor bolts that attach a toilet to the floor. Also known as toilet bolts or T-bolts. They slide into a channel on a toilet closet flange. After a toilet is moved into position, a nut threaded onto the bolt helps pull the toilet toward the closet flange and seat it into final position.

Enamel

A powder coating, usually a combination of clay, quartz, feldspar, silica and color pigments, applied to an iron casting. When exposed to high temperatures, the coating melts and fuses to the casting, creating a glass-like surface. The thickness of enamel provides outstanding protection against chipping and scratching while offering deep color integrity.

Fixture-Mount Vacuum Breaker

Flapper

Also known as flush ball, the flapper is the moving part of the flush valve that seals the water into the tank or allows water to exit the tank for the flush cycle. This is the predominant replacement part used on conventional toilets.

Float Ball

Flow Restrictor

A device usually required by code to limit the maximum flow of water from an outlet. On devices with aerators, the aerator may perform the flow-restriction function. Other flow-restriction devices typically are not intended to be accessible or serviceable.

Flush Valve

The valve located at the bottom of a gravity-operated toilet flush tank that opens when the trip lever is actuated and closes when the tank has drained to the desired level. It usually contains an overflow tube as well.

Gravity-Fed Toilet

IPS

Now referred to as NPT in most applications. IPS stand for Iron Pipe Size, although most pipe is no longer iron. Both NPT and IPS refer to a typical standard measure for threaded pipe with a tapered thread.

NPT

One-Piece Toilet

A toilet in which the tank and bowl are manufactured as a single vitreous china fixture. Typically, one-piece toilets have a lower profile than two-piece toilets, although some feature a Comfort Height™ bowl.

Overflow Tube Toilet

The vertical tube inside a toilet tank (usually part of the flush valve) that directs water into the bowl in case the ballcock malfunctions. If the ballcock does not shut off properly, water will drain through the overflow tube into the bowl, and flow harmlessly over the dam and out the drain. This prevents potential water damage caused by the tank overflowing and indicates to the user that there is a problem by a "constant running" condition. On most toilets, the overflow tube also has a refill tube flowing into it. The refill line directs water from the ballcock through the overflow tube to the bowl after the siphon break.

Refill Tube

Rim Holes

A series of small holes in the underside of a toilet rim around the circumference of the bowl. Incoming water flows down into the bowl through these holes, creating a rinse effect or "rim wash" over the entire inner surface of the bowl.

Tank

Thermostatic Valve

A pressure-balancing shower valve with automatic temperature control. When temperature or pressure fluctuations occur at the water inlets, a thermal actuator adjusts the hot and cold ratio to maintain the original temperature setting; this allows the user to set and maintain a consistent temperature.

Transfer Valve

Trapway

The channel in a toilet that connects the bowl to the waste outlet. The trapway is where siphonic action takes place, and it's measured in terms of the largest diameter ball that can pass through it. Also referred to as "passageway."

Trapway Seal

The height of water in a toilet bowl "at rest," it provides a water seal that prevents sewer gases from entering the home. The trapway seal is measured from the top of the dam to the inlet of the trapway. Also referred to as "deep seal."

Trim

Trip Lever

A lever that is rotated to initiate the toilet flush cycle. Factory-installed trip levers have a Polished Chrome finish; optional trim kits offer trip levers in other finishes. Toilets equipped with a Peacekeeper® seat-actuated flush do not have a trip lever.

Undercounter

Universal Design

Universal design should be invisible and, at the same time, accommodate a wide variety of people of all ages and statures. It allows access to a richer life by eliminating disability by design. This thoughtful approach to space and barriers allows the maximum number of people to use the widest variety of products in their homes for the greatest length of time.

Vacuum Breaker

Vanity

Vitreous China

A term applied to plumbing fixtures that are comprised of ceramic materials, fired at a high temperature to form a nonporous body with exposed surfaces, and coated with ceramic glaze fused to the body.

Water Saving Siphon Jet Technology

A flushing technology designed to create extraordinary flushing performance with an industry-leading 3½" flush valve. Water Saving Siphon Jet Technology provides powerful water flow to maximize the gravity-fed flush and features simplified installation and an eco-friendly 1.4-gallon flush setting option.

Water Spot

The water surface in the toilet bowl once the flush is completed. This is established by the height of the integral trapway dam. Usually expressed in inches of width by length. Also referred to as water surface.